The Ho-Ho-Holiday Job Search: How to find work during the busy season

Nov 14, 2007

Ah the festive season. Shoppers are frantically buying
presents, offices are celebrating, and families are making merry away from home
and around the dining room table. At this time of year, like no other,
employers in the hospitality industry are scrambling to keep up with demand.
That spells opportunity for job seekers looking for an entrée into hospitality
jobs, especially in restaurants, hotels and catering operations. Just consider:
if a restaurant usually operates with 20 servers, it will likely need 50 to
meet holiday needs. A catering company’s functions will more than double for a
few frantic weeks in December.

But if you think
getting a job at this time will be a cake walk, think again. “Yes, hospitality
employers are scrambling for help at a time when regular staff want to take
time off and have a good time,” says Peter Shrive,
partner with Cambridge Management Planning. “But they tend to be looking for
strong seasonal help and aren’t prepared to turn their minds to hiring for a
permanent position.”

Seasonal vs. full-time

So, should you take a seasonal, part-time job when you
really want a full-time position? Absolutely, Shrive advises. Here’s your
opportunity to show how well you can handle stress and extreme workload. When
operations like restaurants are seriously short-handed, you might very well
find yourself in a position with more responsibility. If you applied to be a
server but show grace under pressure in that role, you might be offered a shot
at managing the front desk. You’ll also be well placed for the added gratuities
that come with the season.

The holidays are a perfect time for you to shine. And if you
shine, you step to the front of the line for consideration for the next
full-time job.

Tips to get your foot in the door

The strategy to apply for a holiday job in the hospitality
industry differs somewhat from the techniques used in a regular job search.
Says Shrive, “At another time of year, solid hospitality experience would be a
must, but in this case the important factors will be your availability, your
appearance, and your enthusiasm. You still need to present yourself well and
have some experience in the area, but more importantly you must indicate that
you can handle stress and strain.”

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your holiday
job search opportunities:

It’s
never too early to ask hospitality employers about holiday opportunities.
Start asking as early as possible, even six months in advance, when
employers won’t be as stressed.

Always
keep your resume and credentials up to date. Make sure to add any hospitality-related
courses, training and diplomas. Look at your documents regularly so you
and they are ready for a good position that comes along, especially during
the busy holiday season.

Keep
your interview skills razor sharp during the holidays because the hiring
authority won’t have much time to spend with you. Describe your career in
a sentence or two, be equipped with brief anecdotes to make a positive
case for yourself.

Once
on the job, be prepared to be busier than you anticipated yet able to
handle responsibilities in the spirit of the holiday, with good humor and
professionalism.

Seize
the part-time opportunity in the hopes of turning it into full-time work.

“The
battleground during busy holidays is restaurants and hotels, and the
people who hire in those institutions are going to be swamped,” says
Shrive. “If you want full-time and only full-time work, you’ll have a hard
time being seen and heard. If so, pick another time to get your foot in
the door.”